State won't skip on salt

SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department of Transportation officials are assuring the motoring public that despite high prices and possible shortages of salt in some areas of the state, they won't skimp when it comes to keeping roads clear this winter.

Their assurances Wednesday came two days after six people died in traffic accidents following the state's first major snowfall of the season.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Paris Ervin said treatment procedures were similar to past years, adding that dropping temperatures and blowing snow early Monday morning led to numerous accidents statewide.

According to Transportation Department officials, the agency contracted to buy 687,730 tons of salt at prices ranging from $55 to $140 a ton. Combined with the 172,000 tons left over from last winter, IDOT has slightly more than what it used last winter.

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